It’s been several years since aSuper Monkey Ballgame was released, not counting remakes and re-releases, andSuper Monkey Ball Banana Rumbleis set to bring that streak to an end on June 25. Developed byRyu Ga Gotoku Studio,Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumblebrings back beloved features while introducing new ones, adds new engaging platforming puzzles in its campaign, and aims to be as chaotic as possible in its multiplayer.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumblefeatures several beloved characters like AiAi, Meemee, GonGon, YanYan, Baby, and Doctor, while introducing a brand new character: Palette. She kicks off the campaign’s story mode after a brief tutorial, and players will also quickly encounter an antagonistic team they’re competing against. This villainous team has serious Team Rocket vibes, but after a brief intro, players are thrust into the story of seeking out the Legendary Banana. Other than the story and multiplayer mode, there will be plenty of customization features (300+ items to choose from) and accessibility options players can turn on or off. It is jam-packed with features for anyone to customize the experience to their liking.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Campaign Impressions
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble’s campaign mode, dubbed Adventure Mode, sees players travel from world to world completing zany platforming challenges. In total, there are 200 new stages for players to twist and turn on, and we were able to see the first two worlds. What’s immediately clear is that, if those are meant to be introductory worlds, the challenges are only going to get zanier. It was a lot of fun with moments that had us on the edge of our seats.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumblealso caters to several different playstyles. For someone just wanting to rock through it, there’s no harm in that and there are plenty of assist options as well (including some which would be beneficial for children). There are plenty of shortcuts for those who want to get the lowest time possible on each stage, making it a great game forspeedrunners. Indeed, it was a lot of fun hitting certain points at certain angles (sometimes with or without a Spin Dash) and manipulating the physics to the best of our ability to bypass an entire stage. It was a lot of fun, plain and simple. If someone considers themselves a completionist, then each stage is filled with bananas, bundles of bananas, and golden bananas to collect.
There is also a new gameplay feature called a Spin Dash. Players can either charge this up and hold it in or charge it on the fly, but it’s essentially a burst of speed that can be useful when trying to cross a good distance, hit a certain point at a certain speed, and sometimes maybe avoid failing the level.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble - E for Everyone
All of these are optional and can be turned on and off from the game menu. It’s also worth noting that they can be turned on at any time, and depending on how someone is performing on a stage, they may receive a suggestion they activate one of the assist options. This suggestion can also be turned off, if someone doesn’t believe they’ll ever want it for a level. Assist options include, but are not limited to,
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Multiplayer Preview
When we got to the multiplayer portion of the game, we were restricted to playing with NPCs for obvious reasons. We can’t speak to how thefour-player local co-opplays as a result, but the idea of 16 Monkey Balls competing against each other is as chaotic as it sounds. Even against NPCs, we struggled to stay within the top 5 of any game mode, and we were constantly being hit by power-ups, other Monkey Balls, and the stage itself for pure chaotic fun.
In every game mode, a belly laugh was only one chaotic bump away, while we found ourselves holding our breath constantly as we tensed up for the down-to-the-wire moments.Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumbleis going to be agreat party game, especially with the various game modes we played.
Race
Race is exactly what it sounds like, with players rushing to the end in an attempt to be first. It’s pretty straightforward, but a lot of fun nonetheless. Just like any party game race mode, victory is not guaranteed until players cross that finish line.
Banana Hunt
In Banana Hunt, players compete against others to gather as many bananas as possible. Sometimes a Banana Cloud will spawn a bunch of bananas in one place, and the end of the match will see a sharp increase of Banana Bunches. Something we’ll never forget is rushing toward a Banana Cloud just to be whacked away by an NPC with a bat; it’s chaotic, unpredictable, and ultimately, bananas.
Ba-Boom
In Ba-Boom, players must pass bombs between each other. If the round (out of 5) ends with the player holding the bomb, they don’t get points. Players who are bomb-free do, with the player with the most points winning. Each game mode has a variety of maps they can be used on, and in this one, we ended up in a bowl-like structure. We managed to use the sides a lot to launch us up and away from enemies, but of course, it’s a risky strategy.
Goal Rush
Goal Rush is a team-based game mode where players essentially aim to go through Goals more than the other team, accumulating points as they do so and for the number of goals they control at the end of the match. Like the other game modes, it truly taps into the chaotic nature of 16Monkey Ballslet loose in a small vicinity.
Robot Smash
Robot Smash was perhaps the most surprisingly fun game mode. It is team-based and sees teams rack up points by hitting and/or destroying Robots, with headshots accumulating even more points. Between the stationary bots and a map full of Monkey Balls, it seems like sometimes we were along for the ride and other times we were leading the charge against the bots. It was a great time and a uniquely creative game mode.
It remains to be seen ifSuper Monkey Ball Banana Rumblecan reach the top of the tree like its predecessors, but what’s clear from this preview is that it could live up to its long-awaited status. However, it’s not going to convert any fans. If someone didn’t likeSuper Monkey Balla decade ago, this one isn’t going to change their mind. However, it might just be the perfect entry point for potential new fans of the franchise and is shaping up to be a solid entry in the franchise for long-time fans.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumblereleases June 25 for the Nintendo Switch. Game Rant was provided travel and lodging to NYC for the purposes of this preview.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
WHERE TO PLAY
Let the Rumble Begin! Join AiAi and friends in Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, where you and up to 16 players can compete online across multiple game modes as you aim to become Top Banana! you’re able to also work together with your favorite bunch in 4 player cooperative mode, or slip into a wonderfully crafted story in the all-new Adventure Mode experience!Drop into online multiplayer for up to 16 players or local multiplayer for up to 4 players.Rally up to 3 of your friends and slip into a wonderfully crafted story in Adventure mode as AiAi and the gang journey to seek out 7 mysterious artifacts that are said to be the key to locating The Legendary Banana in 200 all-new stages!Show off your style! Customize your character and monkey ball with over 300 stylish items to choose from.Experience thrilling gameplay that is easy to pick up and play, yet challenging and fulfilling to masterUse the new Spin Dash that allows players to sprint past rivals or create new shortcuts to victory!
